Southern 80, February 9, 2024

Friday, February 9, 2024

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2 RIVERINE HERALD

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 9, 2024

4 2 0 2 , 1 1 – B9

FE

WHAT’S ON THIS YEAR

VIC PARK FINISH LINE PRECINCT RACING START TIMES

HARRY O’s BOAT DISPLAY

SATURDAY

» Saturday morning at the American Hotel » Hare St between Heygarth & Radcliffe Sts » 9am – midday » See a range of boats and teams on display » Get up close and personal then enjoy brunch at the American Hotel

» Social classes: 8.30am » Expert Shootout: 11.30am » Top 40: 2.30pm

SUNDAY

» Expert » Classes 17 to 25: 9.00am » Classes 1 to 16: 12.30pm

FREE EVENT

» Big screen » Live footage » Free kids’ entertainment » Display sites » Live music » Food vendors & Bar » Grass area for the best viewing

TOP 40 BOAT PARADE » Saturday arvo at the Vic Park finish line precinct » Leaving the Vic Park finish line from 1.30pm » Top 40 boats and teams travel down the river to the 5-Mile Ramp

TICKETS ON SALE NOW

SOUTHERN 80 BEER GARDEN » All weekend in the Vic Park Finish line precinct » All inclusive, ticketed VIP enclosure » Beer, wine, soft drinks and food included » Entertainment all weekend » The place to be at the finishing line

TICKETS ON SALE NOW

Follow our socials Tickets available NOW and further information at SPECIAL THANKS TO ALL OUR SPONSOR PARTNERS

SOUTHERN80.COM.AU

RIVERINE HERALD

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 9, 2024 3

911, 2024 SOUTHERN 80 FEBRUARY VIC PARK ECHUCA

Enjoy the river safely, with courtesy for others

Keeping watch: Marine Rescue NSW on the water.

Photo: Cath Grey

A message from NSW Maritime.

The Maritime Branch of Transport for NSW is excited to support the 2024 Southern 80 ski race, and we’ll be attending the event to assist the Moama Water Sports Club in running a safe and successful event as we’ve done for many years.

If you’re competing in this year’s Southern 80, please remember any practice runs outside the event’s aquatic licence are subject to all the usual NSW boating rules, including noise regulations and other marine legislation, such as safe speed, licensing, and the use and carriage of safety equipment. Please also consider residents by not practising early in the morning.

If you’re heading out on the water outside of event times, please consider your safety and that of other waterway users and those on the ­riverbank. Alcohol and other drug limits apply to vessel operators, observers and any people

being towed must stay under the 0.05 blood alcohol limit (or zero if under 18).

If you’re visiting from Victoria or another jurisdiction, please remember that NSW regulations apply for all boating activities on the Murray River, and these rules may differ from your home state or territory in several key areas including: • when lifejackets must be worn; • who can be an observer when towing (tubing, wakeboarding, water-skiiing etc); • use of personal watercraft (jet skis) by young adults (under 16 years old).

Please take the time to check the NSW rules and waterway restrictions associated with the Southern 80 before you head out on the river.

Enjoy the race and please help us keep moving ‘towards zero’ on the water.

Deon Voyer Principal Manager South Transport for NSW Maritime

Thanks and have a great time Welcome to the 2024 Southern 80.

After four years, the Southern 80 is back on its normal February weekend — and we can’t wait to bring this fantastic event to you all.

We could not put on this event without the support of the local community and business. We have worked tirelessly with the Murray River and Campaspe councils, our emergency services such as police, ambulance and fire, and Parks Victoria and NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service to get this event on the water. This does not happen overnight, and we thank them for the planning that they put into our race.

Our competitors love coming to Echuca-Moama to race on the Murray River and enjoy what our towns offer. We thank our local businesses for supporting us in running the race and opening their doors to our competitors and spectators who enjoy the Southern 80.

The Vic Park finish-line precinct is the place to be. Watching the event from there offers you the best viewing of our race and all the different elements that make it so great. There is access to view the big screen, free kids’ entertainment, food, bar, VIP Beer Garden, commentary and much more.

We will be continuing with the Top 40 Boat Parade, which was first held last year and was so well received by not only the spectators but all the teams — they got to travel from Vic Park boat ramp to five-mile and enjoy the cheers of the crows along the bank before they commenced the President’s Dash and Bakers Blitz.

We will be continuing with the reverse Top 40, starting with ­number 40 and working back to one. Let’s hope it’s close again this year and that we don’t know who has got pole for Sunday until the last boat ­crosses the line. Be at Vic Park to cheer for your favourite boat as they leave and when they cross the finish line. Gates open at 7am.

Welcome all: Moama Water Sports Club president Steve Shipp at the launch of the 2024 Southern 80.

The Moama Water Sports Club will again have the VIP Beer Garden within the Vic Park finish-line precinct. This is where everyone wants to be to watch the race, and tickets can be purchased at southern80. com.au. We are again offering the Harry O’s boat display outside the American Hotel in Hare St, Echuca between 9am and noon. On Friday from 7am to 9am we have ‘Breakfast with the Stars’ at the Kerrabee Soundshell in Moama. If you want to get up close to the teams, this is the place to be.

The Moama Water Sports Club committee is extremely proud of how our event helps to not only showcase our wonderful region but also bring an economic boost to

the Echuca-Moama area of over $9 million last year. We have a range of community groups that assist us with the running of the event, equating to over 300 volunteers, and the MWSC assists them all with a donation back to their clubs, which again helps our local community.

Thank you to all the community groups for your support. As a club, we appreciate the support, with some groups having been a part of the event for 20-plus years. We also appreciate the support from so many local businesses. I must also thank all the emergency services and other agencies that have been working with us for over six months to complete all the planning.

The Moama Water Sports Club

also, where possible, uses and supports local businesses, whether as food vendors, infrastructure suppliers, hire companies, signwriters or a range of other areas.

I must mention our competitors.

Without you all entering and attending and making this event ‘the one you want to not only finish but win’, we wouldn’t have such a wonderful showcase of our sport for everyone to watch.

We could not hold this event without our sponsor partners, including Campaspe Shire Council and Murray River Council, American Hotel, Northern Hire Group, Transport for NSW-Maritime, Riverine Herald, Edge FM, Beechworth Bakery, Rich River Party Hire, McDonald’s

Echuca, Thomson’s Echuca Electrical, Telstra, Echuca Moama Accommodation Association, and our newest partner, Travla Beer — make sure you try their new heavy beer, launching at our event. Plus, all our platinum, official and class partners.

My last thanks go to the 14 hard-working members of the Moama Water Sports Club and their families. You all give so many hours to ensure the ‘biggest ski race in the world’ continues to be the best water ski race in Australia.

On behalf of the Moama Water Sports Club, we wish everyone a great weekend, with exceptional viewing, great times and safe racing.

President Steve Shipp

4 RIVERINE HERALD

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 9, 2024

911, 2024 SOUTHERN 80 FEBRUARY VIC PARK ECHUCA

Working together at the 80

By Shannon Colee NSW and Victorian police are offering a stern warning to the community in preparation for the Southern 80 this weekend.

“We’re expecting a bumper season this year, especially with (the Southern 80) returning back to its traditional time-frame, the second weekend of February,” Victoria Police Inspector David Bowler said.

“We’re supported by additional police from Melbourne, including our public order response team and the mounted branch, as well as local police resources and resources from Bendigo.”

Law enforcement on both sides of the river will work together over the weekend.

“We’ll be working closely with the Victorian police as we do every year,” NSW Police Chief Inspector Paul Huggett said.

Insp Bowler agreed, asserting that Echuca police would “work hand in hand with NSW Police throughout the whole weekend”.

As part of the preparation, the two police authorities

have made sure to work with not just each other but other groups.

“There has been ongoing liaison with the committee, with Vic Pol and with stakeholders,” Insp Huggett said.

“We’ll be working closely with our emergency service partners throughout the event to ensure it’s a safe and family-friendly event,” Insp Bowler said.

With a busy weekend ahead, Insp Huggett said people must be patient on the roads.

“We know there is going to be extra traffic and so people really need to allow for that so that we can all get through the weekend without incident,” he said.

Insp Bowler said there would be additional signage to ensure people knew what was happening.

“Especially for visitors, there will be additional road signs in place informing them an event is going on and there may be some reduced speeds in the area,” he said.

“It’s really important, especially roads in and around the Five Mile boat ramp, that everyone drives very safely.”

Safety first: NSW Police Inspector Paul Huggett and Victoria Police Inspector David Bowler.

As much as they will work to keep people safe, Insp Bowler said people needed to be making preparations for themselves.

“We ask people to pay attention and plan their trips, make sure that they’ve got designated drivers if they’re going to be out on the town,” he said.

“With the hotter weather and the increase in people, we want people to ensure that they stay hydrated with water and look out for their mates.

“If you’ve been drinking, please stay away from the water and from getting behind the wheel of the vehicle.”

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Mark your calendar for a year full of unforgettable events: Southern 80: Witness heart-pounding water skiing competitions that make Echuca Moama come alive.

Riverboats Music Festival Immerse yourself in a musical extravaganza along the Murray River with talented artists and a lively atmosphere.

Echuca Cup: Feel the thrill of the races at this prestigious horse racing event that draws enthusiasts from near and far.

Echuca Moama Steam Iron and Trades Revival: Step back in time and celebrate our heritage with a showcase of steam engines and traditional trades.

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Winter Blues Festival: Let the blues music warm your soul during the colder months, bringing the community together for an unforgettable experience.

Perricoota Pop and Pour Festival: Indulge in a celebration of local flavours, featuring the best in food, wine, and produce from our region.

These events are more than just dates on the calendar; they are the pulse of Echuca Moama & District. For the latest information and to plan your visit, connect with us or check our local tourism office. Echuca Moama & District awaits your presence — where every event is a celebration!

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RIVERINE HERALD

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 9, 2024 5

911, 2024 SOUTHERN 80 FEBRUARY VIC PARK ECHUCA

Mayors all aboard for event Cr Frank Crawley Mayor, Murray River Council

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Big weekend: Murray River Council Mayor Frank Crawley and Campapse Shire Mayor Rob Amos hope visitors and locals have a great weekend celebrating the Southern 80 ski race.

38.55 409 And to all those who625m have2 part- other sponsors, suppliers, volun- Cr Rob Amos nered to make this event possible: teers and community groups for N 39.70 congratulations. We 410 commend joining together to help make the Mayor, Campaspe Shire 2 the professionalism of566m the Moama 2024 event one of the biggest yet.

Council 41.19delivering Water Sports Club for My fellow councillors and I wish Campaspe Shire is excited to see 411this region all the competitors the best of luck one of the biggest events 757m2 benefits and trust everyone will have a fun the return of the world’s largest ski has on offer. The economic race this year and is delighted to welbrought by the Southern 80 to the and safe weekend.

42.73 And of course, we would be delight- come competitors, support crews local area are substantial, and we 412 extend our gratitude for2 your con- ed to welcome you and your family and spectators to the Southern 80 864m back to river country anytime... it’s ski race. tinued support and enthusiasm.

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On behalf of Murray River Council, I’d like to welcome all the competitors, crews and water sport enthusiasts to our spectacular region for the 2024 Southern 80 ski race.

It’s great to see the event back in its usual February date after four years of interruptions. The buzz in our towns as the race kicks off in its traditional summer timeslot is fantastic. The world-class appeal of this race is unmatched, and we appreciate everyone’s ongoing support for this signature event.

Thousands of spectators will line the riverbanks to be close to the action as some of the world’s fastest boats compete for this year’s top prize. It truly is an exciting event for locals and visitors alike, and one in DRAINAGE which we are proud to be a supportRESERVE ing partner.

To the participants and spectators: whilst here we encourage you to visit the clubs, restaurants, attractions and take the 36.time out 98 to explore our region. Beautifully 401 2 framed by waterways and659m native bushlands, our home offers the per36.37 fect blend of activity and tranquillity 402 for you to experience.

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nationally and internationally as the most demanding river race for boats, drivers, observers and skiers covering 80km of long, fast straights and very tight hairpin bends, testing everybody and everything to the limit. It provides both the competitors and spectators with 80km of excitement and suspense. The race sure is challenging, but very rewarding.

Congratulations to the committee who have worked tirelessly behind the scenes to ensure the event’s success, particularly throughout the 2022 floods and their adaptability throughout those challenging times.

Our community volunteers are an important part of this event and we are lucky to have strong and united community groups who contribute so much to make our shire a fantastic place to live.

We look forward to welcoming thousands of visitors over the weekend event and encourage visitors to explore local produce and experiences the Campaspe Shire has to offer.

The Southern 80 is an iconic event in our calendar and we look forward to this second weekend of February. I take this opportunity to wish everyone fast, safe, trouble-free racing and a safe trip home.

Southern 80, back on the water!

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6 RIVERINE HERALD

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 9, 2024

911, 2024 SOUTHERN 80 FEBRUARY VIC PARK ECHUCA

TORRUMBARRY

RIVER CLOSED SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 11, 2024

2024 SOUTHERN 80

River Closures FULL NAVIGATION RESTRICTIONS CAN BE VIEWED AT SOUTHERN80.COM.AU/RIVER-CLOSED/

RIVER CLOSED SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 10, 2024

FEBRUARY 9–11, 2024

MOAMA

RIVERINE HERALD

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 9, 2024 7

911, 2024 SOUTHERN 80 FEBRUARY VIC PARK ECHUCA Let’s get racing: 99 Psycho Clowns skiers Connor Ballingall, Cameron Horne, and owner/driver Mark Seamons joined MWSC President Stephen Shipp and Sapphire owner/driver Tim Pickford at the Victoria Park Boat Ramp, as the teams make the finishing touches ahead of the 2024 Southern 80.

Top teams ready to launch

By Alexander Dabb

Sapphire ready for chance at history Sapphire will enter the 2024 Southern 80 as back-to-back champions and with a chance to join an ultra-exclusive club.

Driver Tim Pickford, observer Brian Griffin and skiers Aiden Cuff and Lachlan Nix will be out to claim a three-peat of overall titles, a feat achieved only once before, when the Hellrazor boat dominated the world’s biggest ski race from 2010-2013.

Pickford, who hails from Echuca, said the preparation ahead of the crew’s tilt at their third successive Leigh Johnson Memorial Trophy had progressed as well as possible, considering the high river levels.

“It’s been good, obviously the river has been pretty high so it’s been hard to practice, but we’ve had two or three practice runs in the last week,” he said.

“The boys are fit and healthy.

We’ve obviously had Vic point scores in between the Beehag and Southern 80, so that gives them another couple of hours under race conditions on the water.

“So, it’s been really good, the boys are fit and ready to go.”

The dominance of the Sapphire crew on this stretch of the Murray has extended beyond the Southern 80, with the quartet claiming the crown in the first edition of the Beehag 100 in December.

Like many teams that are serious about recording a good result in the ‘80’, Pickford said the Beehag was invaluable in helping them prepare

History awaits: Sapphire will have the chance to become just the second boat in history to claim a three-peat of Southern 80 titles this weekend, with Hellrazor’s reign from 2010-2013 the only time the feat has been achieved. Photo: Aidan Briggs for the big dance this Sunday.

“Prep for the Beehag was good, because we did full river runs,” he said.

“As much as we only raced the Beehag course, we still did full Southern 80 race practice.

“So the Beehag was good, the new format was 100km not 60, which was a good test for the team.”

While last year’s event yielded the team its second consecutive overall title, it was far from a flawless weekend, having finished second behind fellow superclass competitor TR in the Bakers Blitz.

While TR will not be racing this year having been disqualified earlier this week, Pickford stressed the importance of beating the rest of the top contenders on Saturday to ensure Sapphire had the best chance possible of a win on Sunday.

“TR is obviously very hard to beat in a short course race, I think it was six seconds in it (at the Baker’s Blitz last year),” he said.

“Within six seconds you can go to

second place, and it makes Sunday a really tough day.

“Obviously they (TR) had a mishap last year (on the Sunday), so it made (it) a lot easier, and we could sort of roll out of the throttle and sort of cruise for a win.

“But with guys like that racing it makes it pretty important to win the Saturday.”

While the line-up will remain the same as it has been over the past two victories, there will be a change of sorts for the team.

“We’re going to run a different boat this year,” Pickford said.

“We’re going to run the blue Sapphire which we ran two years ago, so very similar boats, similar horsepower, just a little bit (of a) different setup. “(It is) probably more so just to concentrate on one boat, rather than to keep swapping between the two, we just get familiar with one. We’ve done all the training with that boat, so we’ll use that boat for the race.”

No laughing matter as Clowns hunt podium After a brilliant run last year saw them narrowly miss out on a podium in the unlimited inboard expert class, the 99 Psycho Clowns crew will return to the 2024 Southern 80 with one result on their mind.

Owner Mark Seamons, who will be driving the boat this weekend alongside observer Dylan Cuff and skiers Cameron Horne and Connor Ballingall, said the elusive podium was at the top of his team’s wish list.

“We’d like to be up there, definitely run top 10, and hopefully get a podium in unlimited, that’s our

Here to race: The 99 Psycho Clowns crew has a clear objective this year, with the team setting itself the goal of a podium in the unlimited inboard expert class. goal,” he said.

“Last year I think we ended up fourth in unlimited, so if we can just go one or two better than that, that will be a good weekend for us.”

The crew comes into the race in exceptional form, having placed second in the unlimited inboard expert class at the Beehag 100 in December, and fourth outright, a result which Seamons places a big emphasis on.

“The Beehag is important because it is almost two-thirds of this race,” he said.

“Even though we do go back in the other direction, it’s the one chance to actually practise the Southern 80 course at full speed under race conditions, so the Beehag is very important to us.”

The Beehag will carry extra significance this year, given the flood activity that occurred in early January has seen competitors forego their usual on-course preparation, with many — including Seamons — only able to get out on the Murray this week.

“We had a run down the course (on Wednesday) morning, that was our first run on the river since the Beehag,” he said.

“We’ve been out there training

just with the outboards, doing some time on the double skis, drag skis and training skis, so we have been out on the water, but not at speed since the Beehag.

“We’ve done a few of the point scores across at Lake Charm and Kangaroo Lake, so we have done time at speed behind the boats, but just not in the river this year unfortunately, because of the high water.”

From one extreme to the other, the river has dropped massively in the past fortnight, so much so that teams are praying for more water in the next few days.

While the Moama Water Sports Club has assured entrants and spectators that the river will be safe to race on come the weekend, Seamons said the current height would still make things more difficult.

“It wouldn’t want to drop too much more, she’s pretty low,” he said.

“Hopefully we see it come up a little bit over the next few days, the powers that be will give us a bit more water and it will just make it safer and a little bit easier for everyone. “(The lower river) just closes up the track, the river just gets narrower as it gets lower.

“Generally we’re racing down the middle of the river, we will cut the corners a little bit, but it’s probably more a perception than (actually being narrower), it just feels smaller, it feels lower.

“A little bit more water just makes it safer and easier for everyone.”

The 99 Psycho Clowns entry will begin its bid for an unlimited inboard expert podium at 3.30pm on Saturday, when they launch from Five Mile Boat Ramp as the 10th seeded boat in the President’s Dash.

8 RIVERINE HERALD

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 9, 2024

911, 2024 SOUTHERN 80 FEBRUARY VIC PARK ECHUCA

TOP 40 The top 40 boats will be racing for the right to take off first in Sunday’s main race when they hit the water for the President’s Dash and Bakers Blitz on Saturday afternoon from 2.30pm.

Starting with the 40th-ranked boat, the teams will head off one minute apart from Five Mile Boat Ramp, with the fastest boat at the finish earning pole position for the Southern 80.

The top 40 are listed below, with the crew listed in order of driver, observer and skiers.

40 - The Curse (Bryce Merrett, Brent Merrett, Rob Lee, Rick Kirkman) 39 - Avenger (Adrian Bishop, Adrian Van der Sluys, Jaxon Bishop, Corey Robson) 38 - Venom (Troy Jeffries, Blair Thomson, Ryan Peel, Brodie Peel) 37 - Synthetic 1850 (Craig Nicholls, Adam Wilson, Neil Batey, Corey Lalor) 36 - Synthetic (Stuart Evans, Greg Norton, Joshua Reid, Lance Muus) 35 - I-Robot (Trinton Smith, Ross Harris, Owen Dyball, Clark Stegmeyer) 34 - Hells Attitude (Alex Handley, Ryan Wridgway, Kohdi Cartledge, Leilani Cartledge) 33 - HellYeah (Brett Jenkins, TBA, Sophie Thomson, Amy Hockley) 32 - Extreme Meltdown (Anthony Savona, David Blight,

Grace Savona, Lucy Savona) 31 - Sixteen 48 racing (Adam Tuddenham, Sam Perry, Michael James, Brayden Harris) 30 - Liquid Force (Andrew Sproull, Brad Audsley, Josh Tyrrell, Brad Knights) 29 - Stalker (Peter Hilet, Simon Zealley, Matthew Hilet, Josh Horne) 28 - The Player (Ryan Cooper, Graeme Briggs, Adam Forgacs, Michael Titmarsh) 27 - Epic F1 (David McMillan, Brett Armstrong, Zak Armstrong, Jack Manning) 26 - Topshot (Darren Apps, Erron Jameson, Jaali Walsh, Jason Rockley) 25 - Team 50 (Brent Wisemantel, Andrew Fyfe, Bayley Clancy, Cameron Osborne) 24 - ORSM (Jason Dingli, Matthew Jordan, Jack Heather, Blake Dingli) 23 - Shattered Racing (Kris Pogorelec, Jacob Smith, Jake Clancy, Riley Fogarty) 22 - Tempered (Andrew Davis, Ben Hackett, Max Duckworth, TBA) 21 - 2 Extreme (Anthony McEnnally, Stewart Smith, Troy Hood, Craig Gordon) 20 - Hells Arsenal (Mark Boyer, Brandan McGlynn, Maddison Boyer, Molly Palser) 19 - Masterforce (Geoff Thomson, Jamie Moore, Ryan Thomson, Harrison Galea) 18 - Tru Blue (Peter Randall, Paul Lynch, Campbell Taylor, Jake Gray)

SOUTHERN 80 - PAST WINNERS

And they’re off: 2 Extreme launches off the line during the 2023 President’s Dash.

17 - Noizworks (Peter Gisinger, Peter Thompson, Mark Stephenson, Joel Massey) 16 - Ghostrider (Rick Janssen, Ryan Hatherell, Mitch Williams, David Follett) 15 - Primevil (Ian Payne, Cameron Monaghan, Rhys Duggan, Lachlan Op De Coul) 14 - Chief (Darren Laub, Rob Bertram, Tate Laub, Zac McEwin) 13 - Elm St (Wesley Davison, Nathan Perkins, Kody Davison, Cooper Macaulay) 12 - Sportspage (Dean Johns, Anthony O’Reilly, Liam Ford, Brayden Jameson) 11 - Agrovation (Chris Doonan, Stuart Horne, Bryce Horne, Kane Horne) 10 - 99 Psycho Clowns (Mark Seamons, Dylan Cuff, Cameron Horne, Connor Ballingall) 9 - Pumpindough (Paul Collard,

Mark Spencer, Jess Spencer, Brendan Tidswell) 8 - Temper II (Rhett Davis, Danny Cropper, Bailey Cropper, Jack Coaldrake) 7 - The Mistress (Daniel Galea, Dylan Stevenson, Ray Ball, Bradley Osmotherly) 6 - Hellbent (Alex Handley, Ryan Wridgway, Cameron Nix, Jason Cartledge) 5 - Supernova (Scott Cleaver, Brad Robertson, Cooper Robertson, Carter Robertson) 4 - Brimstone F1 (Jon Horbury, Doug Perry, Brad Williams, Thomas Perry) 3 - Superman (Darren McGuire, Steven Robertson, Daniel Cotton, Daniel Graziano) 2 - TR (Ian Tricker, Nathan Miller, Jake Ellery, Jack Stevens) 1 - Sapphire F1 (Tim Pickford, Brian Griffin, Aiden Cuff, Lachlan Nix)

2023 - Sapphire - 30:42.3 2022 - Sapphire - 30:09.2 2021 - No race due to COVID-19 pandemic 2020 - Superman - 31:06.1 2019 - TR - 29:22:28 2018 - Merc Force - 30:08.6 2017 - Merc Force - 31:10.2 2016 - The Mistress - 30:23.6 2015 - Hellrazor - 29:43.2 2014 - Wild Thing - 32:57.3 2013 - Hellrazor - 30:36.8 2012 - Hellrazor - 30:37.5 2011 - Hellrazor - 30:58.5 2010 - Hellrazor - 30:32.3 2009 - No winner due to the Black Saturday bushfires 2008 - Hellbent - 30:43.9 2007 - Stinga - 19:27.4 (shortened course) 2006 - Hellbent - 31:37:00 2005 - Hellbent - 32:46:00 2004 - The Axe - 32:26:00 2003 - Blown Budget - 31:42:00 2002 - Hellrazor - 32:33:00 2001 - The Sting - 31:57:00 2000 - Top Shot - 31:23:00 1999 - Showdown - 32:50:00 1998 - God’s Gift - 32:02:00 1997 - Argo - 33:42:00 1996 - Gotta Be Crazy - 32:33:00 1995 - God’s Gift - 32:38:00 1994 - Warlord - 33:44:00

1993 - Gotta Be Crazy - 33:48:00 1992 - Thundernuts (under-19 class) - 33:34:00 1991 - Mercury Bullet - 34:27:00 1990 - Island Cooler - 34:18:00 1989 - Island Cooler - 35:03:00 1988 - Rolco - 36:12.3 1987 - Recovery - 37:15.3 1986 - Rolco - 36:18.6 1985 - Moonshot - 39:11:00 1984 - Rolco VI - 40:30.0 1983 - Aquaholic - 40:55:00 1982 - Rolco IV - 38:25:00 1981 - Locomotion - 39:38:00 1980 - Violator - 40:33.4 1979 - The Tack - 41:45.5 1978 - Suicide - 43:30:00 1977 - Suicide - 42:05:00 1976 - Harada - 41:00:00 1975 - Suicide II - 42:52:00 1974 - Splinter - 43:44:00 1973 - Siesta Marine - 45:00:00 1972 - Thunderbolt - 49:38:00 1971 - Avenger- 56:54:00 1965 - Turbofire – 1hr 44:08:00 (100 Mile Echuca Cup – Echuca to Torrumbarry and return. One-up, skiers change halfway)

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RIVERINE HERALD

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 9, 2024 9

911, 2024 SOUTHERN 80 FEBRUARY VIC PARK ECHUCA

Everything on this weekend

By Matthew Kappos The Southern 80 is set to provide three days of events and entertainment again, this year from February 9 to 11. Here, you’ll find everything you need to know about what’s on at the 80 this year.

Friday, February 9 Breakfast with the Stars When: 7am to 9am Where: Kerrabee Sound Shell, Meninya St, Moama This is an opportunity to get a first-hand look at some of the prominent boats and teams competing in the 80 this year while enjoying a catered breakfast from Beechworth Bakery.

Fans can peruse the impressive boats on display as well as chat with and get signatures from some of the watersport’s best.

Saturday, February 10 Harry O’s Boat Display

When: 9am to midday Where: Outside the American Hotel, Hare St, Echuca Boats not competing in the morning’s action will be on public display outside the American Hotel, giving fans another opportunity to appreciate the artistic and mechanical accomplishments of this year’s field.

Morning racing When: Racing starts at 8.30am, gates are open from 7am Where: Five Mile Boat Ramp to Victoria Park Boat Ramp Racing action gets under way with the social classes followed by Veterans, Senior Social, and Disabled classes, and the Under-10s.

At 11.30am the shootout for the expert classes (2-16) begin, with boats outside the top 40 racing to determine their starting positions in Sunday’s event.

Southern 80 boat parade When: 1.30pm Where: Victoria Park Boat Ramp to Five Mile Boat Ramp Before fighting it out in

the President’s Dash and Bakers Blitz, the top 40 boats will parade via the river to the starting line at Five Mile Reserve.

Top 40 shootout (Bakers Blitz and President’s Dash) When: From 2.30pm Where: Five Mile to Victoria Park Boat Ramp From 40 to 1 the top 40 boats will speed down the river in an effort to earn the best starting position for Sunday’s main event.

Five superclass boats are set to take to the river in the Bakers Blitz, including twotime defending champion Sapphire.

Presentations for the Bakers Blitz and President’s Dash will take place at Victoria Park at the conclusion of racing around 5pm.

Sunday, February 11 Racing When: From 9am, gates open at 7am Where: Torrumbarry Boat Ramp to Victoria Park Boat Ramp

LOCAL SOUTHERN 80 COMPETITORS Moama Expert), Brett Jenkins (Veterans)

Drivers Adam Milner (8 Litre Expert, Expert Shootout) Sinister, Andrew Glover (Under 14 Boys & Girls Expert) Sapphire F2, Blaze Branson (Open Women Expert, Expert Shootout) Mickey D, Brett Jenkins (Presidents Dash/Tim Driver Memorial, Open Women Expert) Hell Yeah, Dean Johns (Presidents Dash/Tim Driver Memorial, Unlimited Inboard Naturally Aspirated Expert) Sportspage, George Diamantopoulos (Expert Shootout, Under 18 Girls Expert, Disabled) White Lightning, Handfull Racing, Michael Jones (60 mph Social, 60mph Expert, SMOC Expert, Expert Shootout) Dare Devil Observers Adam Milner (Under 14 Boys & Girls Expert) Sapphire F2, Adrian van der Sluys (Presidents Dash/Tim Driver Memorial, Clubman Expert) Avenger, Andrew Glover (Masters) Sportspage, Dylan Stevenson (Unlimited Inboard Expert, Presidents Dash/Tim Driver Memorial), Jade Pumpa (8 Litre Expert, Expert Shootout) Sinister, Michael Pedrana (60 mph Social, 60mph Expert) Fly

By Racing, Presten Campi (Expert Shootout, Open Women Expert) Mickey D, Simon Zealley (Sportsmans Expert, Presidents Dash/Tim Driver Memorial) Skiers Dean Johns (Masters) Sportspage, Emma Barnes (Open Women Social/ Dawn Rowbottom Memorial) HiJact, Jai Pannam (60mph Expert, 60 mph Social) Fly By Racing, Max McCallum (Under 16 Boys Expert) Shortcut, Ollie Glover (Under 14 Boys & Girls Expert) Sapphire F2, Sharmayn Fox (Expert Shootout, SMOC Expert) Dare Devil, Zoe McCallum (Expert Shootout, Under 18 Girls

Hells Arsenal, Cooper McAuley (Presidents Dash/Tim Driver Memorial, Sportsmans Expert) Elm St, Corey Robson (Presidents Dash/ Tim Driver Memorial, Clubman Expert) Avenger, Elli McCallum (Under 12 Social, Under 12 Boys & Girls Expert) Rapid Pulse, Emma Barnes (Open Women Expert, Expert Shootout, Invincibles Expert) Sixteen 48, No Friction, Erika Glover (Under 16 Girls Expert), Gemma Fox (Expert Shootout, SMOC Expert) On Edge Racing, Holly Robson (Expert Shootout, Under 18 Girls Expert) HiJact, Lachlan Sands (Invincibles Expert, 8 Litre Expert) Migraine

Echuca

Drivers Adam Wilson (Expert Shootout, SMOC Expert) On Edge Racing, Adrian Bishop (Clubman Expert, Veterans, Presidents Dash/Tim Driver Memorial) Avenger, Anthony O’Reilly (Masters) Sportspage, Anthony Pickles (Under 16 Girls Expert) Old Mate, Douglas Binnie (Expert Shootout, SMOC Expert, SMOC Social) Mad Kiwi, Jason Cartledge (Masters, Under 10s Boys & Girls) Kausin Trouble, Nathan Whitten (Expert Shootout, 8 Litre Expert) Migraine, Neil Donald (Under 14 Boys & Girls Expert) The Contractor F2, Paul Collard (Unlimited Inboard Expert, Super Social, Veterans, Presidents Dash/ Tim Driver Memorial), Peter Hilet (Sportsmans Expert, Unlimited Inboard Social, Presidents Dash/Tim Driver Memorial), Steven Liversidge (Expert Shootout, Clubman Expert, Masters), Tim Pickford (Bakers Blitz, Superclass) Sapphire F1, Travis Whitten (Invincibles Expert) Migraine, Wesley Davison (Sportsmans Expert, Presidents

Fun for all: The 2023 Breakfast with the Stars was a hit with boat enthusiasts of all ages.

Sunday’s racing action will begin with the Super Social, Under 16, 14, and 12s Boys and Girls, and the 80, 70 and 60mph classes.

From 12.30pm the superclass and other contending boats will begin their race, in the order determined in Saturday’s shootout, fastest

Dash/Tim Driver Memorial) Elm St Observers Adam Carne (Under 14 Boys & Girls Expert) The Contractor F2, Adam Wilson (Unlimited Inboard Social, Super Social), Anthony O’Reilly (Presidents Dash/Tim Driver Memorial, Unlimited Inboard Naturally Aspirated Expert) Sportspage, Billy Pickles (Under 16 Girls Expert) Old Mate, Brian Griffin (Superclass, Bakers Blitz) Sapphire F1, Carlie Davison (Open Women Expert, Expert Shootout), Nightmare, Chris Neville (Expert Shootout, Unlimited Outboard Social, Unlimited Outboard Expert), Corrine Donald (Under 14 Social, 70mph Expert, Expert Shootout, MOC Expert) Avenger F2, Harikari, No Friction, Mark Hills (Veterans, Under 16 Boys Expert) Shortcut, Nathan Perkins (Sportsmans Expert, Presidents Dash/ Tim Driver Memorial) Elm St, Regan Leary (Expert Shootout, Under 18 Girls Expert), Robert Court (Expert Shootout, Under 18 Boys Expert) Barn Dog, Ross J Harris (Presidents Dash/ Tim Driver Memorial, 6 Litre Expert) I-Robot, Tom Newland (Invincibles Expert, 8 Litre Expert, Expert Shootout) Migraine Skiers Adam Carne (Masters) Velocity Racing, Billy Elliott (Under 14 Social, Under 14 Boys & Girls Expert) Avenger F2, The Contractor F2, Cameron Horne (Inboard Expert, Presidents Dash/Tim Driver Memorial) 99 Psycho Clowns, Charlette Davison (Open Women Expert, Expert Shootout) Nightmare, Curtis Carne (Under 14 Boys & Girls Expert, Under 14 Social) The Contractor F2, Avenger F2, Jake Clancy (Super Social, Presidents Dash/Tim Driver Memorial, Sportsmans Expert, Unlimited Inboard Social) Shattered

first. Class honours are up for grabs as well as the title of outright winner of the Southern 80 2024.

Presentation Presentations for all Sunday events will begin at 5pm, including the awarding of class winners, and outright first, second and third place.

Racing, Jaxon Bishop (Clubman Expert, Presidents Dash/Tim Driver Memorial) Avenger, Jordan Wilson (Expert Shootout, Invincibles Expert, SMOC Expert) On Edge Racing, Interceptor, Jordyn Court (Expert Shootout, Under 18 Boys Expert, Unlimited Outboard Social) Barn Dog, Joshua Reid (Presidents Dash/Tim Driver Memorial, 5.2 & 6 Litre Social, Super Social, 6 Litre Expert) Synthetic, Kody Davison (Presidents Dash/Tim Driver Memorial, Sportsmans Expert) Elm St, Kohdi Cartledge (18 Boys Expert, Presidents Dash/Tim Driver Memorial) Hells Attitude, Leanne Binnie (Expert Shootout, SMOC Social, SMOC Expert) Mad Kiwi, Lottie Pickles (Under 16 Girls Expert) Old Mate, Matthew Hilet (Sportsmans Expert, Presidents Dash/Tim Driver Memorial), Nathan Whitten (Invincibles Expert) Migraine, Ruby Carne (Expert Shootout, Under 18 Girls Expert) White Lightning, Shane Henderson (Veterans) Shortcut, Travis Whitten (8 Litre Expert, Expert Shootout) Migraine, Emma Binnie (Expert Shootout, SMOC Expert, SMOC Social) Mad Kiwi, Jake Rawe (Expert Shootout, Clubman Expert) Madcase, Jason Cartledge (Superclass, Bakers Blitz) Hellbent, Jaymi Clancy (Invincibles Expert), Jedd Pickford (Under 14 Boys & Girls Expert) Sapphire F2, Lachlan Pannam (60 mph Social, 60mph Expert) Fly By Racing, Leilani Cartledge (Presidents Dash/Tim Driver Memorial, Under 18 Boys Expert) Hells Attitude, Xavier Mallick (Under 18 Boys Expert, Expert Shootout) Barn Dog

Mathoura

Observers Stuart Horne (Presidents Dash/

Other info

One-day passes to Southern 80 are $25, while a weekend pass for both days costs $35.

Tickets can be secured on the Southern 80 website at southern80.com.au There is no BYO alcohol permitted, and no glass, dogs, smoking or vaping in event areas.

Tim Driver Memorial, Unlimited Inboard Naturally Aspirated Expert) Skiers Bryce Horne (Presidents Dash/ Tim Driver Memorial, Unlimited Inboard Naturally Aspirated Expert), Kane Horne (Unlimited Inboard Naturally Aspirated Expert, Presidents Dash/Tim Driver Memorial)

Gunbower

Drivers Lance Muus (Under 14 Boys & Girls Expert, Under 14 Social) Cyclone Warning Observers Lance Muus (Expert Shootout, Open Women Expert) Skiers Lance Muus (Veterans, Presidents Dash/Tim Driver Memorial, 6 Litre Expert) Synthetic

Rochester

Drivers Kris Pogorelec (Presidents Dash/ Tim Driver Memorial, Veterans, Unlimited Inboard Social, Super Social, Sportsmans Expert) Shattered Racing Observers Sally McMahon (Disabled, Sportsmans Expert, Expert Shootout) Handfull Racing

Wharparilla

Drivers Sam Surace (Clubman Expert, Expert Shootout) Madcase Skiers Joshua Surace (Expert Shootout, Clubman Expert) Madcase, Noel Cartledge (Masters) Kausin Trouble

Kyabram

Skiers Scott Collins (70mph Expert) Harikari

10 RIVERINE HERALD

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 9, 2024

911, 2024 SOUTHERN 80 FEBRUARY VIC PARK ECHUCA

Dreaming big: The Davison family aboard Elm Street, as well as Nightmare, are hopeful of a good run this year. After taking out Sportsman’s Expert in 2022, Elm Street was unable to finish last year.

Dream pairing for ski family

By Matthew Kappos For the Davison family, watersport has been a permanent fixture in life.

“I always skied as a kid socially, with my parents,” Wes Davison said.

“Then as we’ve had kids and they got older, we got our own boat and slowly progressed from social skiing to race skiing.”

Four members of the Davison family will take to the water at the Southern 80, with Wes and son Kody

aboard Elm Street in the Sportsman’s Expert class, and Wes’s wife Carlie and their daughter Charlette competing in the Open Women’s Expert on board Nightmare.

The Echuca family have been training hard for their home race.

“The kids are in the gym two to three, sometimes four, nights a week as well,” Davison said.

“We’ve been putting a few hours in on the water over the last two weeks since we could use the river and we did manage to sneak two runs

in before Christmas before all the floods came back through again, so we’ve had a fair bit of preparation.”

Elm Street set the course record in Sportsman’s Expert in 2022, but unfortunately recorded a ‘did not finish’ last year, with the category taken out by Chief.

Nightmare placed second in Open Women’s Expert last year behind Hell’s Arsenal.

Davison is confident that Elm Street can return to the top this year, coming off a good run of form in

the lead-up.

“We’ve just won Wentworth and Beehag so we’re trying to go for three in a row,” he said.

“We’re feeling fairly confident given that we do know the river and have had some good success on (the Murray) in the past.”

Davison says the team on Nightmare is hopeful they can also make an impact despite suffering from a disadvantage on race day. “(Charlette) is only 16 so she’s capped at 90mph, competing in

Open Women’s, who are allowed to do 110mph,” he said.

“A podium finish for them and a safe run is their main goal.”

Davison himself will be the driver for Elm Street, with Nathan Perkins (observer), Kody Davison and Cooper Macaulay (skiers) making up the team.

For Nightmare, Sam Livsley (driver) will be joined by Carlie ­ Davison (observer) in the boat, with Charlette Davison and Holly Praszczalek ­(skiers) behind.

World-class athletes to descend on the Murray

By Matthew Kappos

This year, the Southern 80 field features a star-studded line-up of the very best in Australian ski racing.

All six Australian world champions, who won their titles back in November, will be competing at this year’s event, as well as a raft of other world-class competitors.

Echuca’s Jake Clancy was at the world championships, placing third in the Men’s F2 category, and is excited to compete in his home race this year.

“I know the river pretty well ‘cause we’re on it all the time, so it’s good to do a home race, and just being around everyone you know is good too,” he said.

“You don’t get that when you’re racing away from home.”

Clancy relishes competing in the Southern 80 not just because it’s his home venue, but because of the unique challenge of the course itself.

“Echuca, compared to some of the other venues, with the amount of turns and shorter straights against more open, longer rivers, it really makes things interesting so it’s a great race,” he said.

Best of the best: Some of the top ski racers in the world are from Echuca-Moama, including third in the world Jake Clancy, and world champions Leilani Cartledge, Kohdi Cartledge, and Emma Barnes.

“It adds a level of challenge to it to see who can actually get around corners quick compared to going in a straight line.”

Clancy was set to ski behind Shattered Racing, a boat he had taken on the 80 with in the past.

However, things couldn’t come

together to get the boat ready for race day. “(It’s) a shame because we’ve had a team there that we’ve been putting

(effort) in for a little while to try and build up, but that’s the way racing goes,” he said.

“We’ve had to do a bit of a swap around but we’re good to go.”

Instead, Clancy will race with two different teams, skiing alongside Rhys Duggan behind 99 F1, with driver Mark Seamons and observer Wayne Duggan, in the Unlimited Inboard Social and Super Social classes.

He will also be joining Sixteen 48 and its team of Adam Tuddenham (driver), Sam Perry (observer), and Michael James (skier) in the President’s Dash and Sportsman’s Expert class.

Of the Australian world champions attending the event this year, three — Emma Barnes, Leilani Cartledge, and Kohdi Cartledge — hail from Echuca-Moama.

Barnes won the F2 Women’s category, while Leilani and Kohdi won the Junior Girls’ and Boys’ categories respectively.

Fellow world champions who won their respective categories Carter Robertson (Open Men’s), Brendan Tidswell (F2 Men’s) and Nellie McMillan (Open Women’s) will also be at the 80 this year.

RIVERINE HERALD

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 9, 2024 11

911, 2024 SOUTHERN 80 FEBRUARY VIC PARK ECHUCA

TR disqualified after breach

By Alexander Dabb One of the leading contenders to dethrone Sapphire will not be racing in the 2024 Southern 80, with superclass boat TR disqualified just days out from the event.

The Moama Water Sports Club made the decision to disqualify the 2019 champions on Tuesday night after they breached maritime rules during a training run last Saturday.

MWSC president Steve Shipp explained the decision on Wednesday, which he said was agreed upon by the entire committee.

“The team of TR went through a maritime buoy down at Deep Creek Marina, which is a four-knot zone,” he said.

“So, in effect, they’ve disqualified themselves by disobeying a maritime rule. Our conditions of entry are that anyone going through there will be disqualified.

“If we don’t do that, maritime wouldn’t give us, or we wouldn’t be able to get, an aquatic license, and there wouldn’t be a Southern 80.

“It’s a seemingly harsh

Disqualified: TR has been disqualified from the 2024 Southern 80 after breaching maritime rules during a training run. penalty on TR, but it’s a penalty that is for the good of ski racing in all, because it means that maritime will give us support when we get our aquatics (licence) in future.

“It’s something that the

water sports club agonised over a lot last night, like ‘is everything okay? Can we change?’, but we can’t.”

The TR team was contacted for a response but did not wish to comment further on the

See the sights and find the best vantage point

By Matthew Kappos

The magnificent boats of the Southern 80 are set to roar down the Murray River this weekend and the river banks are the best place to catch all the action.

The Victoria Park finish line precinct opens at 7am on both days of racing, with the action set to begin at 8.30am on Saturday, February 10 and 9am on Sunday, February 11.

The precinct will feature a big screen, with live vision of the race, interviews with the competitors, and commentary from the team of Andrew Murphy, David Bishop, and Eddie Bostjonaic.

There will be merchandise stands, free jumping castles for kids, a selection of food and beverages, and a bar open from 10am.

An aerobatic aeroplane display will take place over the finish line on both days, and live music will entertain on both afternoons leading up to the presentation.

One-day entry to the Victoria Park precinct is $25, while entry for both days costs $35.

Tickets can be secured on the Southern 80 website atsouthern80.com.au by clicking on ‘purchase tickets’.

decision, stating they accept the ruling from the Moama Water Sport Club committee and wish all participants a safe race on Sunday.

TR was seen as the best-placed team to end

Sapphire’s streak of backto-back wins, with driver Ian Tricker, observer Nathan Miller and skiers Jake Ellery and Jack Stevens having last year claimed the Bakers Blitz title.

The decision means the superclass entries are now whittled down to five boats, with Superman, Brimstone F1, Supernova and Hellbent remaining in the top class alongside Sapphire.

PUBLIC NOTICE

Road Closures and Changed Traffic Conditions Southern 80 Water Ski Race February 9–12, 2024

Friday, February 9 — 9.00am to 5.00pm All members of the public are advised of increased vehicle and pedestrian traffic on around 10 Despatch St, Echuca.

Closure of the Victoria Park boat ramp and Scenic Drive around boat ramp from 12 noon Friday, February 9 to 8.00am Monday, February 12, 2024.

Saturday, February 10 Traffic Diversions will take place in Hare St, Echuca between Heygarth & Radcliffe Sts between 8.00am and 12 noon.

Traffic Speed Restrictions will be enforced on Perricoota Rd Moama around 5-mile boat ramp and an increase in turning traffic between 6.00am and 6.00pm.

Saturday, February 10 and Sunday, February 11 Traffic diversions will take place from Warren St, Crofton St, Dickinson St, Connelly St, Bolton St & Watson St between 7.00am and 6.00pm both days.

The following applies to the Southern 80 finish line precinct at Vic Park boat ramp on both Saturday, February 10 and Sunday, February 11, 2024.

Prime position: The Victoria Park Boat Ramp is the best place to see the boats cross the finish line.

There is no BYO alcohol permitted, and no glass, dogs, smoking or vaping in event areas.

For racegoers who want a premium viewing experience, the Southern 80 VIP Hotel Beer Garden is available, featuring views right across the water, with food, beer, wine and soft drinks all included.

VIP passes are $175 for a single-day pass or $335 for a two-day pass.

The Victorian side of the river has a plethora of viewing locations, including Baillieu Bend, Casey Bend, Gona Bend, Farley Bend, Pianta Bend, Wills Bend and Braund Bend.

Five-Mile Reserve is closed to spectators but most areas

of the Benarca campgrounds will be open, with bookings required.

River closures will be in effect for the Southern 80, from Perricoota Marina to Victoria Park on Saturday and Torrumbarry to Victoria Park on Sunday, from 6am to 7pm on both days.

If you are unable to get down to the river and watch the action in-person you can purchase a live-stream of the race at indimaxproductions. vhx.tv which can be accessed through the Southern 80 website at southern80.com.au Live-streams are $5.99 for one day or $9.99 for two and can be accessed on-demand up to 30 days after the event.

» Strictly NO Alcohol or Glass will be permitted through the gates. » Strictly NO Alcohol will be permitted to be consumed in the Car Park or on Pedestrian access pathways and surrounding areas. » Strictly NO Dogs permitted other than Approved Assistance and Therapy Dogs » NO Smoking or Vaping will be permitted.

Disabled parking will be available — Vehicles must be displaying Disabled Parking Permit.

12 RIVERINE HERALD

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 9, 2024

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